Ohio Nuclear Disaster Planning

During the 1950s, the threat of a nuclear war and the consequent fallout loomed over the heads of Americans. This coincided with the fear of communism infiltrating the country and only compounded upon the already-present hysteria. This panic caused the Federal Civil Defense Administration to create a program to educate the public on how to deal with the potential nuclear disaster. Pamphlets and booklets were handed out to the citizens with detailed instructions ranging from building an actual fallout shelter to creating meal disaster kits to be eaten while in that shelter. The government was focused on both preparedness and civilian education about nuclear emergencies.

            One such pamphlet was created to teach Americans how and why their vehicles were an important vessel to combat nuclear blasts from the air, somehow. The car was to be used to escape any incoming danger, and the pamphlet suggested family cars be kept at high standards of efficiency. For example, the gas tank should have been over half full at all times, and the tires needed to be properly inflated in case of emergency. The gasoline being almost full was due to the uncertainty of filling up a vehicle after a nuclear emergency. Interestingly enough, the car itself could also be used for protection from nuclear attacks, according to an atomic explosions test at the time. The windows were to be rolled down and the family was to lay down below the level of the windows, so they did not face the immediate blast. The radio in the vehicle was also an important communications tool to receive information from the government following an emergency. Finally, similar to today, the cars could be used to evacuate areas as necessary; instructions on how to be a courteous driver while escaping nuclear blasts and fallouts were included as well.

Civil Defense Circulars and Directives, 1955-1961, State Archives Series 151, Federal Civil Defense Administration. Ohio History Connection, Columbus, Ohio.